SACRAMENTO – The California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) praised a select group of long term and post-acute care providers for reaching national quality goals set by CAHF’s national affiliate, the American Health Care Association (AHCA). In all, eight facilities met all four goals of AHCA’s Quality Initiative, which focuses on reducing hospital readmissions, nursing staff turnover and antipsychotic medications, as well as increasing customer satisfaction.

The top achievers are:
Blythe Nursing Care Center, Blythe
California Park Rehabilitation Hospital, Chico
Huntington Park Nursing Center, Huntington Park
Excell Health Care Center, Oakland
Fruitvale Health Care Center, Oakland
Oakland Healthcare and Wellness Center, Oakland
Diamond Ridge Healthcare Center, Pittsburg
San Tomas Convalescent Hospital, San Jose

At the same time, 44 skilled nursing members achieved at least three goals; 158 reached two; and 336 met one goal.

“Skilled nursing centers across California are focused on improving quality, but these providers have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment by meeting our goals well ahead of schedule,” said Jim Gomez, CEO/president of CAHF. “These member centers are setting an example for the rest of the state and the country on how to ensure person-centered care for our seniors and individuals with disabilities.”

Announced in February 2012, the AHCA Quality Initiative aims to further improve the lives of individuals receiving care in skilled nursing centers by setting measurable goals in four, key areas of quality of care:

• safely reduce hospital readmissions within 30 days during a skilled nursing stay by 15 percent by March 2015;
• increase staff stability by reducing nursing staff turnover by 15 percent by March 2015;
• increase customer satisfaction by having 90 percent of residents and families willing to recommend their center to others by March 2015; and
• safely reduce the off-label use of antipsychotics by 15 percent by the end of 2013.

CAHF members that achieved any of the goals of the Quality Initiative were identified through AHCA’s Quality Initiative Recognition Program. Member centers had to submit staff turnover data and customer satisfaction results to AHCA, while the national association analyzed Minimum Data Set (MDS) information on hospital readmissions and antipsychotics for members. California’s achievers, as well as others from across the country, will be honored at AHCA’s Quality Symposium, February 10-12, 2014, in New Orleans.